The free Indigenous art exhibition popping up in spaces and places of our city

Australia’s First Nations people are the longest continuing culture on the planet. As our country’s very first storytellers, it is important to pay attention to what Indigenous Australians have to say – and what better way to learn and appreciate culture than through the medium of art?

Brisbane City Council’s Indigenous Art Program is all about shining a light on our country’s original storytellers, making Indigenous art both accessible and visible for residents and visitors alike. This year’s program has been built around the theme of Shared Connections, with 14 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists showcasing their incredible work. The theme invites us to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Australia’s First Nations people, not just through the visual art on display but also by way of a series of artist talks, guided walking tours and panel discussions.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Indigenous Art Program’s Shared Connections exhibition is its engagement with Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery sites. In case you’ve never noticed, spots like Hutton Lane, Eagle Lane, King George Square, Griffin Lane, Fish Lane, Edison Lane, Irish Lane, Edward Street and even the William Jolly Bridge are all getting put to use as public art forums as part of Council’s Outdoor Gallery. From animations and light projections to banners, sculptures and light boxes, there are sensory delights studded across our city … you just need to know where to look! For more detailed information on where to find art in Brisbane, check out this interactive map.

Shared Connections is curated by Blaklash Projects, a 100 percent Indigenous-owned business delivering cultural events and creative projects that showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. The exhibition is running as part of Brisbane City Council’s Indigenous Art program from May 1 to July 31.

Image creditsCreation Pathways by Riki Salam, projected on William Jolly Bridge. Photographer: David Sandison
Conceptual image of Circles of Life by Sonja Carmichael, appearing in the Edward Street vitrines.
Conceptual image of Woven Scriptures by Hannah Gutchen, appearing in Eagle Lane.
Conceptual image of Connected to Quandamooka, by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, appearing in Fish Lane.